Reading Goals, Book Talks, and Black Dots

WOW!! The students did an excellent job presenting their Nonfiction Book Talks in September. They were enthusiastic and knowledgeable on their subjects, creating powerpoints, diagrams, posters, and quizzes to help engage and inform the audience. Most students were also able to meet their monthly goal of reading and passing a black dot book quiz at their level. At the beginning of each month, students will check out two books and have them approved for their book talks and black dots. They will need to conference with me if they decide to change either of their goal books, so that I can make sure it is the appropriate genre and level. I will then have students sign up on our wall calendar for a day to present their book talks. They should also enter this date into their planners. They will have until the last day of the month to read and take their quiz on their black dot. Students may take the quiz up to 3 times in order to pass.
Our book talks for October will be a Fiction Book Talk. Your child has already signed up for a day to present their already approved fiction book for October. Most students have also chosen and been approved for their black dots. Remember that most Newbery books have quizzes and that your child can use these books toward a Newbery award medal, as well. Why not kill two birds with one stone, as they say. (Poor birds!)
We are also keeping track of the minutes that your child reads each week for their Lit Logs. For every 300 minutes, your child receives a star on our reading chart. A total of 18-20 stars is needed to meet the yearly goal. Your child can record any reading they do at home, including the Scholastic News. (Remind students to highlight proof in the text for each comprehension question on the back.)